Mike Tyson makes an unexpected request to Donald Trump to approve a controversial law

Mike Tyson, a global boxing icon, seems ready to step out of the ring and into the spotlight as an advocate for legal reform regarding cannabis use in the United States. Alongside other celebrities, he addressed a letter to the White House, calling on President Donald Trump to reclassify marijuana.

Mike Tyson and his controversial request to Donald Trump

As part of this initiative, “Iron Mike,” who often speaks openly about his cannabis use and is a prominent entrepreneur in the hemp industry, supports his stance from a personal, lived experience.

In the letter sent to the government, he recalls his time in prison more than two decades ago, where he was surrounded by people incarcerated solely for marijuana possession. For the former boxer, these sentences are “not only cruel but absurd,” especially considering that cannabis use is now legal in many states like Nevada and Colorado.

Massive support from sports stars for Mike Tyson

Tyson wasn’t the only one to sign the letter. Major sports figures joined the cause, including:

• Kevin Durant, NBA superstar.

• Allen Iverson, professional basketball legend.

• Roy Jones Jr., world boxing champion.

• Ricky Williams, former Heisman Trophy winner.

• Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant, former NFL stars.

Together with musicians and artists, these high-profile figures are urging the federal government to align with current state-level policies and adopt a new approach to marijuana.

At present, cannabis is classified under federal law as a Schedule I drug—a category reserved for substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, the letter’s signatories are calling for the plant to be reclassified as a Schedule III substance. This change would pave the way for scientific research, stimulate economic growth, and, most importantly, deliver justice to those still serving time for offenses that are no longer criminalized in much of the country.

Donald Trump and the key difference from Joe Biden on this Issue

The letter also openly criticizes former President Joe Biden for failing to follow through on his 2020 campaign promises to address marijuana-related incarceration. It states that not only did he leave office without commuting these sentences, but he also rejected nearly all clemency petitions related to cannabis.

For many, it’s ironic that Donald Trump—a polarizing figure in American politics—is now the one being asked to lead a reform that could positively impact thousands of individuals affected by unfair sentencing. Nonetheless, the group of athletes and artists remains hopeful that his influence and popularity could help shift the national conversation.